Verna Volker - From the Navajo Nation, Non-runner to Ultra Runner in 12 years. Founder of Native Women Running and Hoka Global Ambassador.

<div>Verna is the founder of Native Women Running, a Hoka Global Ambassador, she serves on the Running Diversity Board, and represents several organizations: Red Earth Running Co, UltraRunning Magazine, and Native Women's Wilderness.</div> <div> </div> <div>Verna in her own words: </div> <div> </div> <div>“My name is Verna Volker and I am from the Navajo Nation. </div> <div> </div> <div>My clans are Tódích'íi'nii (Bitterwater) nishlíi, Hashtl'ishnii (Mud People) bashishchiin,  Ta'neeszahnii (Tangle) dashicheii, and Tó' áheedlíinii (Water Flows Together) dashinalí. </div> <div> </div> <div>I grew up in the Dzilnaoodilii area of New Mexico, but currently live in Minneapolis, Minnesota with my husband and four children. I work as a second grade teacher.</div> <div> </div> <div>In 2009, I started my running journey to lose weight, but it has turned into a quest to find out who I am internally. </div> <div> </div> <div>This journey has taken me from a newbie runner to a marathoner and recently to an ultra-marathoner when I finished my first Ultra 50-mile race. </div> <div> </div> <div>My desire is to use my running to inspire others.”</div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div>New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Subscribe so you don’t miss out. </div> <div> </div> <div>The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. To find out more about supporting your favourite podcast and becoming a patron please check out <a href="http://www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl= "https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast&source=gmail&ust=1631576130411000&usg=AFQjCNGtZr2cuyYnk2jZZ2QTAZZUe9pqNw">www.patreon.com/<wbr />toughgirlpodcast</a>.</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>Show notes</strong></div> <ul> <li>Introducing herself in Navajo</li> <li>Who is Verna </li> <li>How the outdoors played apart of her life growing up </li> <li>Loving sports but not being into